Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. All praise is to Allah, who is our sustainer and protector, and is everlasting.

Today is day 8 of my hunger strike, which means the state has 6 more days to enter into negotiations, otherwise I stop drinking water. The choice now rests with them. My admiration goes to all my fellow prisoners who have been on hunger strike. I can only wish to have the same level of strength and bravery as them. As we come to the end of the first Filton trial and await the outcome of the judicial review of Palestine Action’s proscription, many of us still face up to a year on remand.

I also want to take this opportunity to talk about my demands. I’m also now demanding the release of surveillance footage from RAF spy flights during the murder of British aid workers for the world food programme in Gaza, as well as full disclosure of evidence regarding the damage figure for the action at RAF Brize Norton.

I believe the timing has never been better and victory is near inshallah. That is why I have continued my hunger strike, despite my solidarity, admiration and support for my fellow prisoners who have recently paused. Despite the wins we have already achieved, I refuse to accept the state’s unwillingness to negotiate, not to mention I have experienced an increase in prison censorship since beginning my hunger strike last month.

I also cannot help but feel immense rage at the system that allowed prisoners to starve and gave them no choice but to pause their hunger strike or die.

I said I wanted to call the state’s bluff, and I will. Especially since they seem to be okay with potentially causing permanent damage to our bodies.

Like I said, they have 6 more days to enter into negotiations. I put my trust in Allah, and trust all of you to keep fighting. I am certain that neither Allah nor the people will abandon me. The system exposes itself for its fragility when they feel the need to confiscate my phone every time there is a protest outside the prison.

Now is not the time to slow down. Not while Palestine is still occupied, and not whilst our brothers and sisters remain in prison, in Palestine, the UK, and across the world. They’ve already shown us they don’t care if we live or die. What else do we need to see to start organising and mobilising the way we shut Elbit down?

As always, Free Palestine. Free all political prisoners. Long live the Muqawamah. And David Lammy, time’s ticking.

With love, Assalamu Alaykum.
Umer Khalid